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Tuesday, 9 August 2011

Getting creative with kids

Welcome to the August Carnival of Natural Parenting: Creating With KidsThis post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared how they make messes and masterpieces with children. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

One of the most enjoyable moments of parenting for me is getting creative with my children. My son is still too young yet, but my daughter is 4 1/2 years old now so we enjoy getting creative together.

For me, the important thing is enjoying it with my daughter. It's all about the process, not the result. If the result turns out beautiful, great!

My daughter loves "making things" so we "make" a lot of things. Sometimes I plan some craft activities, sometimes it's spontaneous. Sometimes I just lay the table for her and she decides what to make with those materials.

Some days she does not like what I offer and will create a completely different thing.

Some days she loves what I offer and makes the same thing again and again.

I love it the most when she has an idea during the process and takes the craft/activity a step further.

Some days she will only use pink, some days everything needs some a lot of glitter, some days everything needs to be taped somewhere.

Sometimes, when she gets frustrated I offer to get out supplies for or drawing. It works wonders to calm a child! Mind you I never draw things for her. It interferes with my instinct to let a child find herself. Children go through developmental stages in drawing. So it is better to let them express themselves without "coaching" or showing them how to draw a house. One important thing I learnt from the famous book Young at Art by Susan Striker.

I like to think my role as a facilitator. I love to offer her new materials that will spark her imagination, not necessarily expensive or store-bought things. Everyday items from home, to encourage her to change the way we think about art-making.

I love watching her when she is really enjoying what she is doing and the proud look on her face when she is finished.

How do you get creative with your children?

***Visit Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!
Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

Family Draw Time Art Show — Kate Wicker shares art (and inspiration!) from her family's cherished tradition of family draw time.

Creating With Kids: 4 Ways That Work For Us — See how Kristin at Intrepid Murmurings nurtures creativity with her kids through craft projects, outdoor creative play, celebrating the creative process, and setting up "little spaces of beauty."

Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how 'creating together' has evolved from 'things' to memories.

The Gift of Creation — It may be hot, but Kellie at Our Mindful Life is already thinking about winter.

Creating Joy — CatholicMommy at Working to be Worthy shares how she and her one year-old son create joy for their community.

How to do Crafts with Kids — Gaby from Tmuffin guest posts at Natural Parents Network and describes how to keep things simple when doing crafts with kids for magical (easy-to-clean, and tantrum-free) results.